In July, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin was reported to have said that a “Malay tsunami” in GE14 was inevitable because Malays have lost faith in Umno.
But Merdeka Center for Opinion Research executive director Ibrahim Suffian argues that even if there is a backlash against the Barisan Nasional (BN), the Malay votes may go to PAS rather than the opposition pact.
He believes Malay voters are concerned over issues such as Malay rights, and this must be addressed by PH.
“A tsunami can occur due to the people’s unhappiness over things like the GST. The rising cost of living can swing votes too.
“But economic factors alone is not a single important issue for them. Malay rights are also a factor. So we’re not sure where the Malay votes will go.
“If it doesn’t go to PH, then it could go to PAS or even swing back to BN,” Ibrahim told FMT after speaking at a forum titled “Multi-Cornered Contest: Bane or Boon?”.
Ibrahim added that when the term Malay tsunami was used, it referred to “swing voters” who are not loyal to any party.
He also speculated on voters not backing those whom they feel have no chance of winning or would not be able to fulfill the criteria set by the voters.
“They might decide to be pragmatic and vote for the guy that will bring development to their area.”
Ibrahim said this is why he believes the opposition are taking a simplistic view when they say they can ride on a Malay tsunami to win power.